Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Kimball Visitors Center To Open For Spring While County Looks To Sell It
High Point Wecome Center reopens April 1 for the travel season. Kimball County also seeks a buyer for the property.
The High Point Welcome Center is scheduled to reopen on April 1, but a bid was opened as part of Kimball County's process to sell the property.
The County Commissioners rejected the one and only bid.
Stephanie Risk McElroy and Ryan McElroy of Antelope Ridge, LLC submitted a bid of $300,000. The bid was rejected since it did not abide by all the requirements, mainly required starting and completion time restrictions for projects on the site.
Jeanine Perry from Red Diamond Realty told the commissioners she had two to three interested parties willing to put in a bid on the property but they hesitated due to the time restrictions. She suggested they change those restrictions.
Resident David LaMothe said he did not think $300,000 was a good enough price for the property. He encouraged the commissioners to retain the property as a future development bargaining chip.
With the rejection, negotiations to sell the property will be the next step in the process.
County Clerk Cathy Sibal, County Attorney Matt Turman, and Commissioners Chairman Rich Flores will negotiate with interested parties on the sale of this property. Eventually, any possible deal would be brought to a public meeting before acceptance.
Kimball County Transit Service updated the county board on transit business. Christy Warner, the administrator, discussed revenues as of Feb. 28. She said sources of revenue include a 5311 Grant, MOU w/other entities, medical insurance, and rider fares totaling $942,856. Other information that Warner shared was the number of employees for the KCTS, which include 12 full-time drivers, four part-time drivers, seven inactive drivers, four schedulers and five office staff members.
Warner told the commissioners that she has discussed KCTS service with Scotts Bluff County, the City of Sidney, Deuel County, the City of Chappell, the Buckley Trust and the Village of Bushnell. She said all entities will sign a letter of support for KCTS. Warner also plans to meet with the Village of Dix, Banner county, Lodgepole, Big Springs, and possibility Dalton and Gurley.
The next meeting of the Kimball County Commissioners is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 4.
Kimberly Sharples contributed to the report.